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Noel Whelan makes bold Leeds United claim

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Noel Whelan believes that Leeds United should sell Patrick Bamford if it means keeping 15 goal forward Kemar Roofe. 

Speaking to Football Insider, Whelan believes that there will be some big names departing the club after they failed to win promotion to the Premier League.

Roofe, 26, has been linked with a move away from Elland Road in recent weeks and Leeds may face a battle to keep him after his impressive campaign.

Patrick Bamford, 25, scored nine goals in the Championship last term but Whelan insists that keeping Roofe is a much bigger priority.

“I would rather keep Roofe than Bamford at this stage,” Whelan told Football Insider.

“Patrick was often powderpuff up front, and there was not much bang from him against Derby. He is there to score goals and create mayhem around the box. To lose Bamford would be ok to me.

“It would be a massive plus to keep Roofe. It’s hard to tell if Premier League clubs will want him, as it is a much quicker game in the Premier League and you are up against a different quality of centre-back every week.”

OPINION

Roofe has had a terrific season for Leeds United and keeping him over Bamford is surely the right decision – if it comes down to a straight choice. Leeds need players who are able to consistently perform at a high level and with 15 goals in 34 appearances, Roofe has proved that he can do it on a regular basis. The same can’t be said about Bamford. Since his £7 million arrival from Middlesbrough last summer he has been very hit and miss. Marcelo Bielsa needs guaranteed quality up front and Bamford has only shown glimpses. You only have to look at the last two play-off games against Derby County to know that Roofe is essential to Leeds’ success. He scored the winner in the first-leg and really looked as if he was back to his brilliant best. Leeds missed him in the second leg where Bamford had a bad game and never really looked like scoring. Whelan is correct and Leeds must keep hold of Kemar Roofe at all costs even if that means losing Patrick Bamford.

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